Closure means



J VISSER CLOSURE MEANS June 6, 1939.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1937 J. VISSER CLOSURE MEANS June 6, '1939.

Filed April 24, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. VISSER CLOSURE MEANS June 6, 1939.

Filed April 24, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 JOHN I/AsuusB.

Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES CLOSURE MEANS John Visser, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to F. L. Jacobs 00., Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application April 24, 1937, Serial No. 138,765

Claims.

This invention relates to closure means, and more particularly to a novel method and means for closing an opening in a panel wherein the closure member is adapted in its closed position to lie flush with the front face of the panel and to be disposed in a concealed position behind the pane in its opened position.

A wide variety of closure members have, of course, been provided in the past for closing 10 various types of openings in panel members and the like. Some of these closure members have been of the type which are pivotally mounted on the front face of the panel and swing outwardly to afford access to the opening. Others have ,1 been mounted in a similar manner but on the back side of the panel and swing inwardly. Still other forms of closure members have been mounted in such a manner that they slide across the opening. In the design of closure members 20 for openings in the panel member of an automotive vehicle which is commonly referred to as the dash board the various known types of closure members have not been altogether satisfactory.

A pivoted closure member which swings outward- 25 ly is undesirable because of its unsightly appearance in an open position. A closure member which swings inwardly is usually objectionable since there is not sufficient space behind the panel or "dash board" to permit such movement of a 30 closure member. The common form of sliding closure member is also objectionablesince the outer face of the member in its closed position is not flush with the outer surface of the panel.

It is an object of the present invention to pro- 5 vide a novel closure member which in its closed position presents a surface which is substantially continuous with the outer surface of the panel member on which it is mounted but which in its open position is disposed in a concealed position 40 behind the panel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel closure means which is economical to manufacture and which is ruggedand reliable in use.

45 A further object of this invention is to provide a novel method and means for supporting and moving a closure member for an apertured panel. Another and further object of this invention is to provide a novel means for mounting a closing 50 member which permits the apertured closing portion of the member to be disposed in a flush position with the front face of the panel with which it is associated and which provides a positive spring latching of the closure member in its 5 closed position.

(Cl. 20B19.5)

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide a novel pivotally mounted clo-- sure member including means for shifting the pivot point at a predetermined angular position of the closure member.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel cam means for governing the movement of a closure member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel combination of panel, ash receptacle, and m closure member.

Another and further object of this invention is to provide a novel combination of panel supporting member, an instrument carrying and apparatus supporting sub-panel, and closure member therefor.

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide a novel combination of panel supporting member, article receiving compartment mounted thereon, and closure member therefor.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and manner of construction, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a panel having an aperture therein and a closure member for the aperture, the closure member being in its closed position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but shows the closure member in its open position;

Figure 3 is side elevational view of the panel and closure 'member'taken along the line III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view in cross section taken along the line IV--IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the guide studs which extend through the transverse slot in the cover supporting arms of the construction; 5

Figure 6 is aside elevational view in cross section of the construction taken along the line VIVI of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but shows the closure member in its open position;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view partly in cross section indicating the arrangement of Figuresv 1 and 2 mounted on a portion of an automobile body;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view in cross secof flange I9 is provided withan opening 20 which ures 1 and 2 and includes in general a panel- III which has an aperture therein that affords access to an ash receptacle |2 mounted behind the panel. In order to enhance the general appearance of the construction and in order to cover the ash receptacle when it is not in use, a closure member or cover l3 having an operating knob I4 is provided for disposition over aperture As will presently be described, closuremember |3 is mounted in such a manner that in its closed position, as shown in Figure 1, the outer surface of the aperture-closing portion of the cover I 3 is arranged so that it presents substantially a continuous surface with the outer surface of the panel I0, while in its open position, as shown in Figure 2, it is arrangedto be disposed behind the panel III in a substantially completely concealed position. Ash receptacle I2 is preferably of the removable type and is provided with a snuifer element l5.

Referring now to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and '7, the detailed construction of the closure member mounting means and its method of operation will be described.

The supporting structure associated with panel In upon which the cover I3 is pivotally mounted I for movement into and out of aperture II includes a pair of brackets l6 and II which are secured to the rear face of. panel I!) in proximity .the present invention, a highly satisfactory form is to cut them generally pie-shape or triangiilar shape. Extending between the rear edges of brackets I6 and I7 is aconnecting plate l8. The upper edge of connectingplate |8 is provided with a forwardly extending flange l9 which extendsvbehind, and in spaced relationship with panel In opposite aperture The central part is substantially similar in shape to that, of aperture I I of panel-l0 but of slightly smallerdimensions.

In cuttingthe opening, 20 in flange I9 portions of the stock are left to provide a plurality of integral downwardly extending tongues 2i Flange- I9 is thus arrangedto-support and receive an ash receptacle.,|2. The ash receptacle v;|2 may, of course, assume any, of a wide variety vIi l l i fl s b itis Show in the drawings as being a substantially rectangular metal box l2 having curled outer. edges 23,, The dimensions of the rectangular ash receptacle [2: aresuch that it snugly slides through opening, 2|l. until outer curled edges23. engage flange I to be supported thereby.

The integral oftilange'Q-IQ frictionally engagethe side walls of the ashreceptacle formed integral with the pie-shape arms of the brackets ll, since a piece of stock may be econ'omically stamped and bent into the desired shape, it will, of course, be understood that these various portions of bracket may be cut separately and subsequently secured together in any suitable manner without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The novel form of the cover construction I3 and the manner in which it is mounted on bracket II will now.be described. Cover 3 includes in general a top portion 24 and two rearwardly extending pie-shape supporting arm 25 and 26 which are preferably formed integral with portion 24. The central portion of the top part 24 or cover I3 is slightly raised to form an-apertureclosing portion 21 which snugly fits within aperture H in such a way that the outer surface of aperture-closing portion 21 is flush with the outer surface of panel I. In other words, the outer exposed surface of cover |3 in its closed position presents a surface which is substantially continuous with the outer surface or front face of panel l0.

The cover mounting means which will now be described is of such a character that it will permit the aperture-closing portion 21 of cover l3 to be depressed out of aperture II and, which will then permit the cover to be angularly moved or slid to a concealed position behind panel II]. More particularly, the lower end of arms 25 and 26 are pivotally mounted on a rod 28 which extends between the lower end of the brackets I6 and I! and which is permanently secured thereto. Rod 28 extends through two slots 29 and 39 provided in arms 25 and 26 of cover I 3 as shown in the drawings. As may be seen best in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, the longitudinal axes of slots 29 and 30 are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cover and are arranged to permit not only angular movement of arms 25 and 28 but also translational movement thereof. At an intermediate point on each of arms 25 and 26 arcuate guide or cam slots 3| and 32 are provided, the camv slots being arranged for disposition over guide studs 33. Slots 3| and 32 at their 'rear ends are cut radially inwardly as at 34.

From the above description it will be apparent that slots 3| and 32 limit the angular movement of arms 25 and'26 and hence cover l3, since the (i. e. radial) movement of cover l3 will not take place during the time when the cover is behind or partially behind supporting panel Illyarcuate slots 3| and'32 are so spaced with respectto rod 23 that the upper end of slots 29 and 30 are maintained in engagement with rod 28. When the cover'l3' has been rotated to a position where the aperture-closlng-portion 21 is-opposite aperture I I, the radially inwardly turned ends 34 of guide slots 3| and 32 will permit translational or radi- .ally outward movement of cover l3. This transend of each of arms 25' and 26 so as to extend.

over rod 28 in the manner shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Opposite ends 31 and 36 of springs 36 are secured to the arms 25 and 26 in any suitable manner such as by hooking their ends over the lower edge of the arms. Springs 36 are mounted in such a manner as to remain under tension, thereby biasing arms 25 and 26 in a radially outward direction. Although the tension springs 36 tend to move'cover l3 radially outwardly from its pivot point as defined by rod 28, such movement is prevented by guide studs 33 riding in slots 3| and 32 for all angular positions of arms 25 and 26 except when the guide studs fall opposite the intumed slotted portions 34 of each of the slots. Cut out portions 34 of slots 3| and 32 permit cover l3 to be moved radially outwardly by springs 36 into an aperture-closing position as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. It will thus be understood that when the cover I3 is in aperture-closing position, it is held firmly and tightly in place by virtue of springs 36 urging the marginal extremities of top portion 24 against the underside'of the aperture defining edge portions of panel ill and by virtue of the fact that angular movement is prevented by guide studs 33 resting in portions 34 of slots 3| and 32.

The manner in which the cover |-3 is operated from its closed to open position is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. its closed position (i. e., in its aperture-closing position) is shown in the full lines in Figure 6. If access to the ash receptacle I2 is now desired, pressure is applied with the thumb or fingers to the knob l4 in a downward direction. The cover i3 and its associated structure is thereby forced to the position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 6. As the arms 25 and 26 are moved downwardly, guide'studs 33 advance upwardly inthe downwardly turned portions 34 of slots 3| and 32 and the supporting rod 23 rides upwardly in slots 29 and 30. Knob i4 is then pulled downwardly to thefright as shown in Figures 6 and 7, thus causing the cover l3 to slide to a concealed position behind the right-hand portion'of panel I i0. During this angular or rotational movement I of cover arms 25 and 26, cover i3 is maintained in spaced relation from the undersurface of panel In by virtue of the engagement of slots 3| and, 32 with guide studs 33. As the guide studs 33 reach the end of slots 3| and 32, cover arms 25 and 26 and cover top portion 24 are in the position as shown in Figure '7 of the drawings. In

order that the forward edge of cover l3 may be ride past the lower edge 40 of aperture H as cover i3 is moved to its open position. To close aperture Ii, it is simply necessary to push upwardly on knob i4 thereby causing counterclockwise rotation of coverarms 25 and 26. As the apertureclosing portion 21 reaches a point opposite aperture ii, guide studs 33 are opposite portions 34 of slots 3| and '32. As a; consequence, biasing springs 36 cause the aperture closing portion 21 to snap up into flush engagement with panel it.

The ash receptacle and novel cover arrangements therefor described abovemay, of course, be mounted in a wide variety of manners and in a wide variety of places. Figure 8 of the drawings illustrates the ash receptacle and cover arrangement mounted on an automobile panel or dash board 4| disposed in front of the driver's The cover |3 in seat (not shown) and/below the windshield 42. The upper portion 43 of the panel member 4| is welded or otherwise suitably secured to a'supporting bracket 44 carriedby the body of the automobile. Upper portion 43 thus forms the molding face for windshield 42. The lower portion 45' of panel 4| is underturned and secured to mounting bracket 46 or some other suitable portion of the automobile body.

In Figure 9 of the drawings an embodiment of the invention is shown in which the disappearing cover is employed to close the opening in a panel member which afiords access to a glove compartment or the like. In Figure 9 a detachable and removable glove and article receptacle 5| is shown-mounted behind a panel member 52 which is provided with an aperture 53 opposite the open end of the glove and article receptacle. Glo've receptacle 5| is supported by means of a bracket 54 which is similar in general configuration to the bracket arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the invention which included bracket arms i6 and I1, connecting plate l8. and flange l9. An aperture-closing member or eovl 55 is mounted for movement into and out oi the aperture 53 of panel 52 and includes in general an aperture closing portion 56 and a pair of supporting arms 51 which are pivotally mounted on a rod 58 which extends between opposite arms of the bracket 54. Guide slots 59 are provided in intermediate portions of arms 51 and are arranged to ride over a guide stud 60. Cover member 55 is biased outwardly by means of a pair of springs 6|. The entire operation of the cover 55 as to its angular and translatory movement is precisely the same as that described for the aperture-closing member of the ash receptacle assembly described inFigures 1 m8.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 10 of the drawings wherein a disappearing cover 62 is provided for the.

aperture 63 in panel 64, a sub-panel 65 carrying a radio dial 66 and control knob 61 being disposed behind the aperture 63 and panel 64. Suitable locking mechanism 68 may be provided for locking the cover member 62 in its closed position to prevent unauthorized access to the radio control panel 65.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination comprising a panel having an aperture therein, a cover having a portion adapted to fit within said aperture and form a surface substantially continuous with the exterior surface of said panel, and means for movably mounting said cover including at least one arm extending rearwardly from said cover having a slot therein, a stationary supporting element extending through said slot arranged to permit translational movement and angular movement of said arm, means for resiliently urging said arm to a position where an end of' said slot remote from said cover engages said element in the closed position of the cover, and means opposing the resilient means to move the arm to a position where an end of said slot nearest said cover engages said element upon position.

2. In a panel assembly having an aperture therein, a cover having a portion adapted to pro: ject into said aperture, a support for said cover, said support accommodating angular and translational movements, and cam means for confining movement of said cover to angular movement for a predetermined range of position thereof and to translational movement for another predetermined position thereof.

3. A device for mounting behind a panel having an aperture therein, comprising a frame adapted to be mounted behind said panel opposite the aperture and in spaced relation thereto, a disappear'ing cover for mounting between the panel and the frame having a portion adapted to project into said aperture of the panel, rearwardly extending supporting arms on said cover and means supported by said frame and coacting with said frame for accommodating pivotal and translational movements of the cover.

4. In a panel assembly having an aperture therein, an apertured receptacle supporting frame for mounting behind said panel with the aperture therein opposite said panel aperture, a receptacle mounted in said frame aperture and carried by said frame, a disappearing cover mounted on said frame for movement into and out of said panel aperture and resilient means for moving said cover into said panel aperture as the cover is moved to its aperture-closing position.

5. In a panel assembly having an aperture therein, a closure adapted to project into said aperture, an arm supporting the closure extending rearwardly from said closure behind said panel, a pivotal support for said arm accommodating rotational and translational movements, resilient means urging said arm toward the panel and-means engageable with said arm when the armand the closure are moved to open position whereby the closure will be carried by said arm out'of said aperture and behind the panel.

6. In a panel assembly having an aperture therein, a cover having a portion adapted to project into said aperture to atleast be flush with the exterior surface of the panel, a pair of arms extending rearwardiy from said cover in spaced arms toward the panel to carry the cover into said aperture and means adapted to oppose the resilient means for sliding the arms relative to their pivotal supports in a direction away from the panel to carry the cover in spaced relation behind the panel when the cover is pivoted to an open position.

7. In combination, a wall having an aperture therethrough, a closure adapted to project through said aperture, a support secured to said wall adjacent to the aperture and extending rearwardly therefrom, an arm carrying said closure and extending along said support rearwardly of the panel, pivot means accommodating rotational and' translational movements mounting the end portion of said arm on said support and a cam slot and pin connection between the arm and support to efiect translational movement of the pivot means for carrying the closure behind the wall when the closure is rotated to an open position.

8. An ash tray assembly adapted to be mounted behind an apertured panel comprising a frame, a cover in front of said frame adapted to project into the panel aperture for closing the aperture, said cover having rearwardly extending arms, means accommodating pivotal and translational movements joining said arms with the frame, resilient means urging the cover away from the frame and means for opposing the resilient means to hold the cover closer to the frame upon pivotal movement of the cover to its open position.

9. An ash tray assembly adapted to be mounted behind an apertured panel comprising a frame having an apertured front face adapted to receive an ash tray therein, said frame including rearwardly extending side walls, a' cover in front of said frame adapted to project into a panel aperture for closing the aperture, saidcover having rearwardly extending arms, said arms having elongated slots therein disposed substantially perpendicular to the cover, a pivot pin carried by the side walls of the frame extending through said slots, springs urging the arms to move the cover away from the front face of the frame, said arms having cam slots extending substantially transversely thereacross, means carried by the side walls of the frame engageable in said .cam slots to oppose the springs for holding the cover closer to the frame face upon pivotal movement of the cover to its open position and said cam slots being arranged to release said means to permit. the springs to move the cover away from the front face of the frame when the cover is moved to closed position.

10. In a panel assembly, a panel having an aperture therein, a receptacle structure having its ash receiving mouth inalignment with said panel aperture and mounted behind said panel, a disappearing closure member mounted behind said panel for movement from behind said panel into said panel aperture, and means for bodily 1 moving said closure member into said panel aperture as the closure member is moved to its aperture closing position.

JOHN VISSER. 

